Portable Air Conditioners

Like Window Wall, Split System and ducted aircons, portable air conditioners work by drawing in the warm and humid air in a room, cooling and dehumidifying it, then blowing it back out into the room. They key difference is that portable air conditioners are not built in or permanently installed. Whilst they are not portable in the same way a Pedestal Fan is, portable air conditioners are relatively simple to install and take with you when you move.
 

The portable air conditioning unit itself will need to be set up in a room with a nearby window. This is because a portable air conditioner needs a place to vent the heat that is being extracted from the room. Most portable air conditioners come with a window kit and unlike window air conditioners the installation will not block the natural light from coming through the window or prevent you from opening the window to let in fresh air. Then when it comes time to move, you can simply take the exhaust vent out of the window.

As mentioned before, a nearby window will be needed to let your portable air condition vent heat. Before making your purchase, it is worth measuring up the dimensions of the window to ensure the venting kit will be long enough for your window frame. Generally, these kits are designed for sliding or sash windows, so if you have a hinged window you may want to look carefully at what the AC unit comes with.
 

There are after-market kits available online that are also worth looking into just in case you can’t get a portable aircon unit with a kit that supports your window dimensions. The exhaust pipe itself can be easily extended and bent to shape as needed. Just be aware that the shorter you make the exhaust pipe the more efficiently the unit will run.
 

You should also ensure that your AC units power cord can reach an available wall socket. Most portable air conditioners are too power intensive for extension cords and power boards and using them may pose a fire risk and void the warranty.

Portable air conditioners might be a quick, cheap air conditioning solution compared to other AC systems. Where these types of air conditioners tend to be disadvantaged is when comparing energy efficiency.
 

Up until April 2020, portable air conditioners have been excluded from energy star ratings. However, since April 2020 the Australian Government have implemented the new Zoned Energy Rating Label (ZERL) energy rating system for Air Conditioning units and portable air conditioners are now being labelled under this system. The ZERL rating can be used to compare models of same or similar sizes and factors in seasonal and regional climate variations in the energy efficiency calculation.
 

There are three basic types of portable air conditioner: single duct, double duct and spot coolers. Single duct portable air conditioners are not generally considered energy efficient for cooling a room (but are good at cooling people who are nearby) and will not have any stars on their ZERL.

Energy ratings aside, you will find that Portable Air Conditioners are great for cheap, quick cooling solutions that do not require professional installation. Because all they need is a window and an available power outlet, these types of air conditioners are great for renters who may not be able to get approval for AC installation from their landlord.
 

Because the entire unit sits inside your room, portable ACs tend to be much louder than other units when running. All manufacturers publish how noisy an AC unit is, so it is worth investigating before making a final purchase.
 

Remember that unlike other ACs that are installed in walls and windows, a portable unit will be taking up floor space, so knowing the size of the unit and the room it is in will be very useful. And don’t forget to check you have a wall socket available nearby. Finally, check how portable the unit really is. Consider the weight of the unit and see if it has handles and castors to make them easy to move between rooms.